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Exercisers embrace grueling cardio workouts at Fit 4 Life in Akron's Romig Square Plaza
By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008
These recruits are marching to a different tune.
It's called Fit 4 Life Boot camp, in Romig Square Plaza, where men and women are getting their exercise.
An enthusiastic, motivated group moves rhythmically, some tirelessly, to the beat of nonstop funk and line music, like the Cupid Shuffle, in hopes of shedding holiday pounds. Some have been trimming their waistline for weeks.
It's an intense physical fitness program, one that's as demanding mentally as it is physically. For the owner, Felicia Short, it's all about accountability and discipline — the keys to successful weight loss.
The participants are put through a rigorous cardiovascular workout that would make even the most gung-ho Marine drill sergeant proud. They high step and side step almost without skipping a beat: 1-2-3, single-knees up, left side only to the count of 10, jack it out (jumping jacks), squats, heel and toe.
The group counts in unison to 10. Ultimately, even for the hard-core camper, this becomes a grueling way to trim fat and burn calories.
Not every workout is the same. There are football runs and tire drills, mostly designed to improve cardio and fine-tune the lower body. The workouts vary from day to day.
''I've never been to boot camp, but some of my clients say my class is worse,'' Short said. ''No one has to feel intimidated. Everyone in class can do something. If you have arthritis, knee surgery, a bad back, you may need a modification for an exercise.''
Don't let the relaxed atmosphere with the line dancing-style music suitable for a nightclub fool you.
''It's hard work. It's not like partying or dancing all night. I can dance all night,'' said Cynthia Toney, 39, of Akron. ''I think she's firm, but that's what I need. I'm a total slacker.''
Toney, who has a full-time job at Roadway Express, also has her own catering business.
''I know that doesn't help, either,'' Toney said of her business. ''I do all my own cooking. I feel like she's vested in us. This is only my second class and I am exhausted. I know I'm out of shape. But everyone here is so encouraging, I don't want to give up.''
Short gets the class going.
''Find a spot; it's business as usual,'' she unblinkingly warns the tardy recruits. ''If you don't know what number we're on, we start all over.''
That's hardly a timid threat. She means it — and everyone knows it. So, for the most part, everyone shows up on time.
She said the only attitude found in her classes is her own, and it pushes people hard to achieve their goals.
''There are no diets or quick fix-its to losing weight,'' Short said. ''I've done every diet known to man. I was a size 18, a tight 18. I weighed 200 pounds. I didn't like myself.''
She said she would avoid outings and make excuses to her husband to get out of going places.
''A friend told me about this doctor who could help me. I felt I needed something. I asked for a prescription to help me lose the weight. He gave me a prescription. I rushed to the pharmacy and pulled out the paper and all it said was, 'Diet and exercise.' ''
It wasn't until she developed mounting medical problems — high cholesterol, high blood pressure and a mild heart attack — that she got her wake-up call.
''I started going to a weight-management program, working with a personal trainer, learned how to cook and eat healthier, and it was the best I felt for a long time,'' Short said. ''Most people can't afford a personal trainer several days a week, so I decided to start a program called Fit 4 Life.''
She gave up her lucrative career as a beautician. She had three salons, but gave it all up, in part, because ''I was getting fat behind the chair.''
''This is not Bally's or some other fitness center where you can do whatever you want with no one to answer to. Like boot camp, I expect them to do the best that they can. In my classes, you are competing with yourself,'' Short said.
There are consequences: $1 per pound for any weight gain and $5 per pound for a missed weigh-in. No weigh-ins without two workouts.
The camouflage boot camp decor has signs of encouragement posted around the room. ''Fit 4 Life or Fat 4 Life, you choose.'' ''Stop cheating, Don't be a Quitter.'' ''Do you want to stay Fat or Get Fit?''
There is other testimony.
''I was tired of being unhappy, not able to get out of a car. I had high blood pressure and very low self-esteem,'' Crystal Robinson of Akron said as she pointed to her before-and-after photos. The 42-year-old nurse at City Hospital weighed 211 pounds; she is down to 140.
''The boot camp has a family atmosphere. You may fall off the wagon, but everyone shares their struggles.''
Vanessa Shepherd, 44, of Akron, heard about a similar boot camp in Cleveland, where her good friend lost 100 pounds in a year. Shepherd was driving past the Romig Road plaza one day, saw the boot camp sign, grabbed a brochure and signed up.
''I got too far out of shape. It was long overdue. My major problem is that I ate a lot,'' Shepherd said.
Short has changed Shepherd's eating habits.
''I don't eat any fried foods, beef, pork or dairy products and I eat more fruits and vegetables,'' said Shepherd, whose goal is to trim down to 150 pounds. ''I started at 247 pounds and lost 13 pounds in one month.''
She said she has bad knees and a bad back but can keep up because Short modifies the exercises to suit individual needs.
''Short makes you accountable. I work in a prison, so I know all about accountability and being tough,'' Shepherd said.
Everybody in the class wants to accomplish the same thing, said 49-year-old Valerie Borders of Akron.
''I like the feel of the class. Everyone is supportive,'' she said. ''I started in October and I've lost 19 pounds. My first week, I sat back and was physically and mentally exhausted. I won't say its easy, but it's worth it.''
For information, go to http://www.fit4lifebootcamp.net or call 330-848-3488.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
These recruits are marching to a different tune.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 07:44 AM, 12/30/2008
The best part of the workout at that place is the run to and from the car to avoid being robbed.
Posted 08:24 AM, 12/30/2008
Wow get a life.I BET YOU'RE SINGLE because who would put up with a jerk like you!?You can get robbed anywhere.You "assume" that because they're black .Well Fairlawn and Montrose has crime to!Grow up .Stay positive!
Akron, OH
Posted 08:33 AM, 12/30/2008
Reality CHK needs a reality check. Have you ever been to Rolling Acres area? I went to a store in that area that keeps the doors locked due to getting robbed just about everyday.
Posted 09:27 AM, 12/30/2008
Bottom line for those of you who have evil hearts: YOU reap what you sow and YOU get what YOU expect.
I commend the woman who runs this boot camp and I commend the clients for having the courage to sign up and be a part. Not courage to enter the neighborhood, but courage to do what it takes to become better in life. For those of you who sit at your computer typing negative comments: reality is you could be robbed in the comfort/discomfort of your own home. Crime knows no color nor does it respect neighborhoods. Take the rest of the day/your life to think on that!
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 10:14 AM, 12/30/2008
@REALITYCHK: I was commenting on the location of the facility. In case you haven't been following the news for the past decade, I will let you in on a little clue -- the Romig Road area is known to be a hot-spot for crime. Just this week, the KFC near this place was robbed.
The Great City in, OH
Posted 11:06 AM, 12/30/2008
The Big Lebowski
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 07:44 AM, 12/30/2008
The best part of the workout at that place is the run to and from the car to avoid being robbed.
________________________________________________
Well, the visual was kind of funny!
Lower Akron, OH
Posted 11:44 AM, 12/30/2008
Even a good story can bring out the worst in people.
Posted 12:11 PM, 12/30/2008
I have to concur. Some posters intentionaly look for stories to post negative comments.
Posted 12:37 PM, 12/30/2008
The people who post the negative, racist comments 99.999% of the time do NOTHING positive to help the community. Nothing.
When these Archie Bunkers die, the world will truly be a better place.
Can't stand cowards.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:25 PM, 12/30/2008
@UrbanR - Though I would whole heartedly agree with y'all, that poster number one is cowardly, are y'all suggestin' that only white males are racists??
Nice bigoted remark there kid.
I would rethink that remark iff'n I was y'all.
Posted 03:49 PM, 12/30/2008
Good for all those women out there trying to get into shape! You have more motivation than I do -- good luck getting healthy!
akron, oh
Posted 04:00 PM, 12/30/2008
I have been at Fit4life Bootcamp for over a year and I have never had any problem with security whatsoever. As a matter of fact there are cameras all around the building, plus a security officer who walk and drive around the whole parking lot everyday. Churches get robbed on a daily basis as does any other business. People will break into your own home. So regardless of the location, you can get robbed wherever. Hello Bath township get robbed too. Location is not or have ever been a problem.
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 05:01 PM, 12/30/2008
@bossy1: Did you ever think that maybe part of the reason that you have never had a problem is because of the increased security? How many other fitness clubs have "cameras all around the building, plus a security officer who walk and drive around the whole parking lot everyday"?
Sorry, but you can't argue with the fact that they are in a less than desirable location. Do you drive there with blinders on? If not, you have to have noticed all of the abandoned buildings around there, including Rolling Acres mall.
akron, oh
Posted 10:56 PM, 12/30/2008
The malls have secuity cameras, grocery stores,
intersections etc. Do you have blinders on? Most businesses have cameras. Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they are not there. The other people were right you are ignorant.
So what if there are empty buildings. The economy is going through a crisis, so alot of business are failing. How many large companys had to be bailed out? Hell you probably don't have a job yourself.
If you are not coming to the bootcamp what do you care?
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 01:40 AM, 12/31/2008
@bossy1: Who is ignorant? Crime in the Romig Road area is rampant. How many fast food places in that area have been held up in the past year? You literally can't go a week without reading about another robbery in that area.
Best of luck to you on your continued safety in that area. I would advise you stick to visiting the boot camp in the daylight hours.
akron, oh
Posted 09:03 AM, 12/31/2008
Whatever. Like I said, if your not coming to the bootcamp, then what business is it of yours? I go to the bootcamp at different times day and night without a problem. There are for sale or lease signs in fairlawn, the falls, wadsworth, montrose, rolling acres and everywhere else. Why do you have such an interest in the Romig road area?
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 09:30 AM, 12/31/2008
@bossy1: My interest comes from the fact that the Romig Road area has crime rates far higher than any of the other areas you mentioned in your post. The Rolling Acres area is dying an agonizing death. It used to be a nicest retail area in Summit County, but crime changed all that. The mall is now closed. It is really just sad.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:17 AM, 12/31/2008
The reason the nay-sayers declare an interest in Romig Rd is that they have the perception it is over-run with criminals and frequented only by black people. They probably haven't set a foot in the area for decades. They read about a thriving business there and they can't help themselves -- they have to try to scare everybody away. I'm a white female who has shopped in that area for years and still do -- Sears continues to operate and it is much more convenient to go there then out to the burbs. There are also many automotive businesses along that stretch of Romig. But I guess the Big L and Beta won't be happy until all those businesses are shut down. For the record, I've never been hassled or in fear of "predators" at any place I frequent along Romig Rd.
akron, oh
Posted 10:27 AM, 12/31/2008
Big L and Beta, Romig Road was a nice area and it still is for the business owners and customers who still shop in the area. There are quite a few white people who attend the bootcamp. As a matter of fact quite a few officers attend as well. The only ones who seem to be scared is you two Archie Bunkers.
Kemorekid, you are dead on. Thanks
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 12:01 PM, 12/31/2008
@KenmoreKid: I still go to Sears on occasion for tools and appliances, and the place is usually empty of customers. Rumor has it that after this dismal holiday retail season, Sears is considering closing the Rolling Acres store. Penney's won't be far behind. That will be the death knell for the Romig Road corridor as a retail area.
Sorry, but that is a fact, as is the fact that crime is still prevalent in that area. Read the newspaper and you will see the stories of robbery after robbery in that area. I don't revel in that fact, I just don't choose to ignor it. I wish the area was still as vibrant as it once was, because I shopped at the mall frequently.
da hood (west akron), oh
Posted 10:29 AM, 01/02/2009
The downfall of the Romig Road area is based upon two undisputable facts.
1) Allowing METRO access
2) The movie CINEMAS
At one point the Akron Police Department has a satellite office there in order to maintain a security presence.
Posted 01:09 PM, 01/02/2009
LOL!!! This is classic Northeast Ohio ignorance. This was truly a great article. Very positive and could be inspiring for the overweight. But as usual the inbreds took it to another whole level. Ohio residents, please don't think that all white people are like this...this is what you call ignorant and limited vision. No wonder there is mass flight from the area.
Go women...
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:39 PM, 01/04/2009
I grew up in the Rolling Acres area. I would be interested in knowing the times the facility is open. Thank you tm of clinton
akron, oh
Posted 05:47 PM, 01/04/2009
bw_one
The facility is open 6 days a week m-s
The website is www.fit4lifebootcamp.net.
The hours are up on the schedule page.
Posted 01:39 PM, 01/09/2009
Way to go Felicia! (Fee Fee as I know you from when we were little kids). Your bootcamp is just what Akron needed. Its very positive and motivating to help people loose weight and feel better about themselves. I teach fitness classes here in Atlanta. I'll stop by and see you on my next trip home. Keep up the phenominal work! Karla Blair Roberts :-)
cleveland, oh
Posted 07:38 AM, 03/05/2009
why r there no hot woman at this boot camp
